Story Time : Australian Children's Literature Exhibition

by KBR Founder, Tania McCartney

On 21 August, I was fortunate to attend the Story Time: Australian Children's Literature Exhibition opening was held at the National Library of Australia. What a breathtaking event. The exhibition is so exquisite and so comprehensive, it's hard to give a full outline, so here is a peek at the event and the treasures held in the exhibit.

Needless to say, from the very first children's book printed in Australia (A Mother's Offering to Her Children) to  Chinese versions of the 13-Storey Treehouse, this is pure children's literature heaven.

Created in partnership by the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature (NCACL) and the National Library of Australia, and curated by Grace Blakeley-Carroll, this is truly something you cannot miss.

Let's open the front cover!

The Hon Dr Brett Mason, Chair of Council, NLA, opens proceedings
Dr Marie-Louise Ayres, NLA Director-General, also spoke beautifully

local Canberra book people Genevieve Hopkins, Sarah Wallace, Leanne Barrett, Sarah Steed, Tania McCartney

a glorious (and funny!) Welcome to Country by Ngunnawal Elder, Aunty Violet Sheridan

Emily Rodda's Opening speech was superb - how I wish I had a copy

Tania McCartney, NCACL Director Dr Belle Alderman, Nicole Brownlee from Story Box Library

Nicole Brownlee and Dr Stephanie Owen Reeder, author of the exhibition companion book

The exquisite, bookish food displays ...

That's me there, below, barely able to contain myself. I'm about to walk into Wonderland. And I'm about to fall in love all over again with children's books, if that's at all possible. I'm not even sure it is, but perhaps it's true that love can ceaselessly expand.

The moment you walk through the Story Time Exhibition doors, this beautiful creation greets you. It's A Mother's Offering to Her Children by Charlotte Waring Atkinson. Charlotte is the great-great-great-great grandmother of authors Belinda Murrell and Kate Forsyth, and Kate has written about the book right here - a fascinating piece.

In the very first room, this exquisite - there is no other word - wall of ORIGINAL artwork from The Rainbow Serpent by Dick Roughsey (1975). I cannot express how moving this display is. It's utterly, completely beautiful, and I am going back to stare at it for hours. The colours. The skill. Just incredible.

The line-up of retro covers - to die for!

Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner was one of my very favourite books as a child. I read an illustrated version from 1975 relentlessly and I still have it. It's barely able to hold itself together. Here is a peek at this version of the book (a stock photo) illustrated by Mary Brooks, adapted from the TV series (poster of the series below).

And just look at this exquisite early copy. The handwritten note is Ethel's - she was taking notes for an article about the book.

And early character study from Shaun Tan's The Arrival...

Nicole Brownlee and Sarah Wallace discuss Bob

Bob Graham! Always a joy.

Here is some May Gibbs heaven (just some of it).

This exquisite artwork by May, above, was a character study for Gum-Blossom Babies. It's something you'll examine with your nose two centimetres from the glass. The colours! Oh my.

Here is local author/illustrator Genevieve Hopkins, adoring this superb fairy art by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite. And just look at the Fairyland book!! And the candles--this was some early branding. Those candles--these are the type of candles that pock-marked the cakes of my childhood.

This is Australian history, right here...

Major childhood flashback with Bottersnikes and Gumbles. Those pudgy little creamy tummies and that gnarled bubbly skin still have a visceral effect on me.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Jeannie Baker

Jeannie Baker

Another devastating blow from my childhood. Why did I not have this game? And can you believe Freya Blackwood's stunning work from The Man From Snowy River picture book (Scholastic).

Freya Blackwood

I have a more recent incarnation of this fabulous book

Dorothy Wall

Ruth Park

 

This glorious Playtime section is specifically designed for kids, and features an audio visual display of stories from the divine Story Box Library.

The companion book, Story Time Stars, was for sale on the night. Penned by my friend and book creation partner Stephanie Owen Reeder, it's just the most sensational peek at Australian children's book characters from the last 100 years. I smiled the entire way through this book--it brings such joy. Don't miss it. You can purchase here. And read KBR's review right here.

The Canberra Times produced a fabulous feature article on the Exhibition and the companion book. Read it here.

Be sure to check out our guest post with Dr Belle Alderman, Director of NCACL, on 10 reasons why you simply must visit this astonishing exhibition. Read it here.

And lastly, you simply cannot miss this exquisite exhibition experience. It will rocket you back to childhood. It will inspire and uplift. It will delight. Be prepared to ooh and ahh.

Huge congrats to Dr Belle Alderman of the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature and her team, to the National Library and to the partners involved in this incredible achievement.

Learn more about the exhibition by clicking the poster above.




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The Winner! Ivy Bird and Crocheted Owl Competition

Our lucky winner for the Ivy Bird and crocheted owl competition is...

Catherine Little, NSW

Congratulations! Your parcel is winging its way to you.

Thank you to ALL who entered this competition. Be sure to visit again for more exciting giveaway opportunities plus the chance to read our KBR review of Ivy Bird. And learn more about the book right here.



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Review: Winnie-the-Pooh and the day of Important Letters

Novelty books that contain envelope flaps with letters inside them, are as exciting as receiving a letter in your own mail box.

Inside Winnie-the-Pooh and the day of Important Letters you will discover six letters, a map and a special event hat. It is a tale of mystery and intrigue. Who has sent these letters to our friends, from the Hundred Acre Wood, and why?


The first of these important letters are addressed to Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet. It asks that they '...please visit Christopher Robin at once...' What will happen when they get to Christopher Robin's house? The mystery grows.

Unsure what the letter means, Pooh and Piglet take their letter and map to ask Kanga and Roo. The kangaroos have received a similar letter that also asks them bring Tigger along to Christopher Robin's place.

The mystery deepens as we discover that Rabbit and Owl have received very important letters too. Mmmm, Owl's letter mentions something about a special event. I wonder what the special event might celebrate?

Even, gloomy Eeyore finds a letter from the mysterious friend. This letter tells Eeyore 'no ambling, no wandering, no strolling...come at once!' to Christopher Robin's.

Once they have all arrived at Christopher Robin's, they discover who wrote the letters and that there is one more envelope to open. Its contents will reveal the very special event. Ooooh it will be such a delightful surprise, that even Eeyore will smile.

This is a lovely little adventure based on the Winnie-the-Pooh stories by AA Milne and EH Shepard. It accurately shows the characteristics of our favourite forest friends. The misspelled words on the envelopes and letters gives readers a clue whom the friend might really be.

It is pleasing to see that the illustrations are of Shepard's style, they are simple line drawings with soft watercolour tones, rather than a more modern style of drawing.

If you are interested in finding out more about where the Winnie-the-Pooh story was born, then read KBR's Sarah Steed's article,  Bookish Places: Winnie-the-Pooh Country.

Or read more Winnie-the-Pooh stories reviewed by Kids' Book Review; Winnie-the-Pooh buggy books, Winnie-the-Pooh (and friends) Hide and Peek and Finding Winnie.

Title: Winnie-the-Pooh and the day of Important Letters
Publisher: Hardy Grant Egmont, $19.99
Publication Date:  1 January 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781760503178
For ages: 2+
Type: Picture Book




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Review: The Secret Dragon

Eleven-year-old Mari Jones is a fossil hunter. She loves everything about fossils and happily spends all her free time hunting and studying them. 

But when she discovers something that is not quite a fossil, her usual study methods are just not going to cut it, because what she discovers is alive!

What she discovers is a dragon! 

The Secret Dragon is a fantastic junior novel about friendship, empathy and finding your place in the world.

Mari thinks she knows who she is. She’s a bit of a loner, she doesn’t get along with her mum, she deeply misses her father and she cares more for animals of the past than flying, breathing creatures in the now.

Everything she thinks she knows about herself and her family is challenged when the secret dragon appears in her life. 

She learns big lessons, like what’s truly important, and in doing so grows into the young girl she’s meant to be. 

This is an enchanting coming of age story entwined with a fantastical tale of the re-emergence of dragons. It’s the first book in a series that’s sure to be a hit with young dragon fans. 

Title: The Secret Dragon 

Author: Ed Clarke

Publisher: Penguin, $16.99

Publication Date: 6 August 2019

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780241360514

For ages: 7 - 11

Type: Junior Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction

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Review: You Might Find Yourself

Review: Leonard the Lyrebird

The dramatic scenery of Australia's iconic Blue Mountains provides a stunning backdrop for this beautiful tale of Leonard the lyrebird.

Leonard is a truly impressive creature who loves to perform, singing the sounds of all the animals in the bush. He has plenty of friends among the other animals, but longs for a lyrebird friend.

Hoping to befriend the lyrebird Lilah, Leonard goes searching for the most impressive song of all.

This is a sweet and lively story about friendship, bravery and being yourself.

Author Jodie McLeod weaves a magical tale with her vivid use of language. Onomatopoeia, alliteration, rhyme and rhythm make it a glorious story to read out loud.

The rich and vibrant illustrations, in a luscious palette, capture the magnificent beauty of the setting, along with the playfulness of Leonard's colourful performances and his journey to true friendship.

The book is stunningly produced with sumptuous endpapers, thick matte pages and a striking design that incorporates stylistic typography to further enhance the joy and drama of the story. This is a book to treasure.


Title: Leonard the Lyrebird
Author: Jodie McLeod
Illustrator: Eloise Short
Publisher: King St Press, $24.95
Publication Date: August 2018
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9780994450753
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Rivers: A Visual History from River to Sea

Review: Story Time Stars

Reading Story Time Stars was like a trip back to my childhood, and to my early career as a children's librarian.

If you love children's books (and if you're reading this you almost certainly do), then you're going to love Story Time Stars.

It's a gorgeous collection of some of the memorable characters who have become part of the Australian children's literary landscape.

The kind who you will recognise at first glance, or with just a little extra prompting. Characters like the Muddle-Headed Wombat and Mothball the wombat.

The iconic Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, and Grandma Poss are there, as are Noni the pony, Koala Lou, Grug, and the Hippopotamus who loves eating cake.

There are also characters who share stories of Aboriginal culture, and the experiences of migrants and refugees.

All these characters and their stories play an important role in the lives of Australian children and the adults they become. 

Story Time Stars is presented in a timeline order, with the first two groupings being characters from the 1910s to 1930s, and 1940s to 1960s. After that they are decade by decade.

Each character comes with a profile telling us who their creators are, when they made their public debut, and a variety of facts about them. Did you know that Blinky Bill has featured on Australian stamps and coins? Albert, the Magic Pudding has as well, and a statue of him can be found in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. 

The end of the book includes a short exploration of the children's literature collections at the National Library of Australia, and the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature, both of which are dedicated to collecting and preserving our history.  

Story Time Stars deserves a place in every home, as a reminder of the brilliant talent that Australia has produced, and a celebration of all the wonderful stories we're fortunate to be able to re-visit, simply by picking up a book.

Story Time Stars complements the exhibition Story Time: Australian Children's Literature, at the National Library of Australia. You can visit the exhibition, which will appeal to both children and adults, until February 2020.

Title: Story Time Stars
Author: Stephanie Owen Reeder
Publisher: National Library of Australia, $24.99
Publication Date: September 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780642279408
For ages: 6+
Type: Non-fiction




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12 Curly Questions with author/illustrator Gabriel Evans

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
Aged 12 I collected antique editions of boys' books of hobbies. Some of these ‘hobbies’ were incredibly dangerous – looking at the sun through a telescope or painting phosphorous on your face to glow in the dark. I was sensible enough to not attempt them!

2. What is your nickname?
I don’t have a nickname, although some people struggle saying my name and I hear some weird pronunciations.

3. What is your greatest fear?
Not having a dog. They’re a bundle of joy and love you to pieces – although, I should add, my dog is extremely annoying and chases birds in trees when she’s bored. Nothing’s perfect.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Simple and direct words in close relationship with my illustrations.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Quiet, curious, amusing, thoughtful, questioning.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
Can I say a character from my own book? Is that allowed? I relate with Augustus, the very big dog. He’s a character that’s content in his own company.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I would travel to 1996 when I was four and holidaying in England. It was a memorable trip. Plus, I’d try and find the aeroplane I lost on my grandfather’s roof.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
Why aren’t you living in England in a castle? We discussed this.

9. Who is your greatest influence?
My parents. They encouraged me to follow my passion in book illustration. They’ve been very supportive.

10. What/who made you start writing?
I started out illustrating books. But the combination of words and art fascinates me. The relationship between the two can be fragile, fractious and harmonious.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Contrafibularities – a sarcastic congratulation. It’s a word I discovered while watching Blackadder the Third. I sadly can’t see any opportunity to include it in a future book.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?  
Winne-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne, a book that makes me both laugh and reflect.

Gabriel is a children’s book author/illustrator from Western Australia. His latest picture book, Ollie and Augustus (Walker Books) started as a drawing and a question in his sketchbook and grew into a story about little Ollie and his best friend (and dog) Augustus. Gabriel writes, paints and drinks coffee near a river. For more information, see www.gabrielevansartist.com.

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Review: Otto Goes North

Otto Goes North is a comforting tale about Otto, an adventurous lemur, who has cycled for a very long time to visit his friends, Lisa (a lynx) and Nils (a little bear), who live in a blueberry-blue house with a grass roof, far up in the north.

The three friends are thrilled to see each other. Otto cannot wait to share stories with his friends and to paint the Northern Lights as a memento to hang on his walls back in the south.  However, Otto does not realise how freezing it is in the north.

The friends discover that, even though they all have fur, Otto's fur is meant for warmer weather, and Otto becomes sick. His friends are worried. They take him into the sauna, and bring warm blueberry soup. Then, Lisa and Nils use their intiative, empathy and creativity to find a way to help Otto stay warm.

They create yarn, in a clever and surprising way, colouring it with vegetables. Then, they learn how to knit and soon make a perfect gift for Otto.

Swedish author/illustrator, Ulrika Kestere, (text translated by Julia Marshall) has created a heartwarming story of three compassionate friends, each with their own unique characteristics, who value each other's journeys and differences. The illustrations have clear and simple lines and bold colours, yet convey the warmth of friendship, contrasting the day-to-day lives of the characters against the majestic backdrop of the northern sky.

Title: Otto Goes North
Author/Illustrator: Ulrika Kestere (Translated by Julia Marshall)
Publisher: Gecko Press, $16.99
Publication Date: 1 August 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781776572427
For ages: 5 - 8
Type: Picture Book




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Review: Baby's First Jailbreak

Baby Frank is back in a new entertaining adventure, this time featuring two zoos and baby nemesis named Bruce.

Following on from Baby’s First Bank Heist, Frank’s zoo is going wonderfully until, suddenly its  daily queues diminish. Frank and his parents soon discover that there’s an idea thief in town. A prestigious and rather entitled baby named Bruce has opened his own zoo, on his parents private polo pitch. Bruce’s zoo is filled with enticing extras like free ice cream and instrument playing animals.

When a concerned penguin informs Frank that Bruce’s animals aren’t happy or treated well, Frank makes a plan to help them out. A highly satisfying ending prevails along with a hint about what may be involved in Frank’s next adventure and I for one, am excited!

Fun and witty with a rhythmic rhyming flow, Baby’s First Jailbreak is fun to read aloud, the comic style illustrations are fabulous with expressive animal characters adding humor and lots to point at and discuss.

Title: Baby's First Jailbreak
Author: Jim Whalley
Illustrator: Stephen Collins
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, $14.99
Publication Date: 5 August 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781408891810
For ages: 3+
Type: Paperback




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Review: My Dad is a Dragon

An exploration of dads and all the different things they do and love, My Dad is a Dragon is all about how special and unique every dad is. 

Some dads have pointy pencils for designing busy bridges. Some dads have tough trolleys for hauling heavy fridges.

Our young protagonist explores all the different things dads do, say, think and enjoy, but always, and most importantly, her dad is a dragon! 

He’s special and unique and just the dad she needs him to be.

This is the 6th book in Damon Young’s series of books about family, following My Sister is a Superhero, My Brother is a Beast, My Pop is a Pirate, My Nanna is a Ninja and My Mum is a Magician. 

Again accompanied by Peter Carnavas’s brilliant illustrations, the book is filled with colourful joy and loads of details to explore.

It’s a story about love, family and all the wonderful ways our dads are our dads. Kids will delight in discovering their own dads between the covers and exploring all the ways in which other dads can be different.

Dads are the best, and this book reinforces just how great they are. 

Happy Fathers Day to all the amazing dads out there!

Title: My Dad is a Dragon

Author: Damon Young

Illustrator: Peter Carnavas

Publisher: UQP, $24.95 

Publication Date: 6 August 2019

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 978 0 7022 6049 0

For ages: 3 -6 

Type: Picture Book

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Who is Ivy Bird? Interview with Tania McCartney and Jess Racklyeft

Ivy Bird from Two Points of View

To celebrate the release of Ivy Bird, we've come up with something a little something different. We thought we’d offer our perspectives on Ivy Bird—from an author POV and an illustrator POV. These responses are imagined by each of us, and there was no collaboration in the creation of this interview!

Tania McCartney and Jess Racklyeft

What kind of kid is Ivy?
T: She’s creative, mercurial (was going to say ‘flighty’!), curious and huge-hearted.
J: A free spirited, nature-loving whirlwind.

Why does she love birds?
T: Because they represent what attracts Ivy, and what life should be for all kids … beauty, curiosity and freedom.
J: Birds represent beauty, freedom and flight—what isn't to love?!

What do you think her favourite bird is?
T: I think it’s the duck. Because it’s playful, resourceful—and can migrate! I think Ivy will travel the world when she’s older. Also, ducks in flight represent spiritual freedom. That’s so Ivy.
J: Oh, a tough one! I feel like it would be her own bird, her sweet little canary.

What about her favourite breakfast?
T: I imagine she loves almond pancakes with coconut yoghurt and fresh berries.
J: Because she is so hard to pin down for breakfast, something she can grab while she is running is best—like a muesli bar or piece of fruit.

What other interests does Ivy have?
T: She loves to draw, paint, read and explore. She also loves gardening and putting on plays.
J: Art, collecting things, nature adventures.

What’s her favourite colour?
T: Aqua blue. Like the cover of the book.
J: Sky blue.

What does she love to do with her twin baby brothers?
T: Her favourite thing in the WORLD to do with them is read picture books. She sounds out all the words and puts on funny voices.
J: Swim, read, bath, play...

What’s her dog’s name?
T: Feathers.
J: Winston.

What’s her pet canary’s name?
T: Sunshine. (You know how kids tend to name animals after their colour!)
J: George.

Does she go to kinder? What’s her favourite thing to do there?
T: She does. Her favourite thing is to do in the class room is draw. Her favourite thing in the playground is tag.
J: Yes, she loves to dress up, draw, cook and play in their treehouse.

What do you think she’ll be when she grows up?
T: A traveller and conservationist. I think she’ll do some teaching in her lifetime, too.
J: A vet or zookeeper.

What do her parents do for a living?
T: Her dad works for a film production company as a producer, and her mum is a high school English teacher. She also makes kombucha and sauerkraut to sell at the local gourmet market.
J: Her mum is a magazine writer. Her dad is a teacher.

Where does she live?
T: She lives between the mountains and the beach.
J: Country New South Wales.

What is your favourite bird in the book? Why?
T: I’ve always been drawn to the flamingo—lifelong. I’m not sure why. I think because its colours are insanely beautiful and it’s the epitome of retro design elegance? Think 1920s Deco and 1960s beachside kitsch. I love how Ivy play acts a flamingo in the book.
J: I like the bowerbird. The little pause there and moment with Ivy is so lovely!

Do you have a favourite bird that’s not included in the book?
T: I adore the hoopoe. Also the Canadian goose. And the loon. It may walk like it’s drunk, but its feather patterning is exquisite. The gang gang cockatoo is also exceptionally beautiful.
J: I do have a soft spot for owls, like the tawny frogmouth.

Why is that bird special?
T: The hoopoe is perfection in terms of its shape, colouring, patterning. Even the curve of its beak is magnificent. They have a detailed and fascinating mythological and symbolic relationship with humans. They were considered sacred in Ancient Egypt.
J: Just so grumpy looking, but so regal. Incredibly, you can find them tucked in trees in my neighbourhood in Melbourne!

What’s so glorious about birds?
T: Firstly, that they are related to dinosaurs! Secondly, they are pollinators and seed-spreaders, like honey bees with feathers. Lastly, they’re not only beautiful, they can fly. And what could be more glorious than the ability to fly?
J: Birds are magic. For the same reason Ivy loves them, I do too!

Why do kids need to know more about them?
T: Because the more kids know about anything, the more they will care. And we need people to care. Not only about birds—about our entire ecosystem. Also, birds are arguably one of the most fascinating and variant animals in existence.
J: The more books that celebrate animals and plants the better. We are in such a critical time for our environment and our kids’ futures—and the more care and respect kids can teach us adults, the better.

What can kids do to help protect birds?
T: They can learn more about them. And share what they know.
J: Many things! Use recycled paper and toilet paper is a big one. Do fundraisers for great groups like Bird Life Australia. Join the National Bird Count. Tread lightly on our earth.

More about the book...

Ivy Bird

Ivy wakes with the birds. She flutters, she flits... then takes flight into the endless blue of imaginative play — foraging for nectar, pecking in the sunshine, splashing the day away. Introducing an aviary of beautiful birds to little ones, Ivy Bird is a celebration of nature, friendship, and the love and comfort found in feathering the nest.

Ivy Bird, September 2019, Windy Hollow Books, AU$25.99/NZ$29.99, hard cover, 9781922081797) BUY





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